Accounting appliance.



BATENTBD MAR. 2 4, 1.908.

J. E. WILDMAN. ACCOUNTING APPLIANGB.

APPLIQATION FILE-D JULY 24.1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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No. 882,856. l PATENTE-D MAR. 24, 1908. J. B. WILDMAN'.

ACCOUNTING -APPLIANGPL PPLIGATION ULEB 'JULY .24, 1907.

WW /f UNITED sTAfrils Parana? onirica JOSEPH EAWILDMAN, F LANDOVER, M'RYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ALBERT F. STAPLES, OF ALLIANCE, 01110, ANDk CHARLES W. POTTER, OF WALTHAM,

MASSACHUSETTS.

ACCOUNTING APPIiLANCE. a

`ineans in a manner as hereinafter set forth for facilitating the keeping of credit and debit accounts in an accurate manner and in the least possible time without requiring other entries than substantially those that are already made when making up and filling. orders for goods.

A further object of the invention is to provide an accounting appliance with bill-holding leaves so set up as to increase the rigidity thereof, and, furthermore, to enable the removing of each leaf independently when occasion so requires.

A further object of the invention is to provide an accounting appliance with a plurality of bill-holding leaves so set up and arranged in a manner as hereinafter set forth that when moved to an upright position they will be retained in such position and when moved to a horizontal position they will. be retained in such latter position without the application of pressure or `of a weight.

vFurther objects of the invention are to provide an accounting appliance which shall be simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, efficient in its use, readily set up, conveniently handled and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture with respect to the forms of accounting appliances now in general use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement ol parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accon'ipanying draw-` ings wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, but itis to be understood that changes, variations and modifications `ca n be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

ln describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote correspond- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 24,

Patented March 24, 1908. i

1907. Serial No. 385,331.

ling parts throughout the several views and in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a credit accounting appliance in accordance with this invention, showing one of the billfholding leaves in its lowermost position and fur ther showing the appliance openedgFig. 2 is a sectional detail of a pair of bill-holding leaves; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the appliance when opened ,'Fig. 4 is a like view' of the appliance closed; Fig. 5 is a front view of one of the bill-holding leaves; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of one'of the bill-holding leaves; Fig. 7 is a detail showing the pivot rod em loyed for each of the leaves. `Referring tot e drawings, an accounting appliance in accordance with this invention cir-.bodies a receptacle formed of a shiftable and a stationary section. The former is in dicated by the reference character 1 and the latter by the reference character 2. The stationary section 1 comprises front and rear walls 3, 4, respectively, side walls 5 ,and a bottoni 6. The walls of the stationary section at the top are each provided with a beading 7 which extends entirely around the stationary section and projects above the top edge 8 of the v. alls of the 'said stationary section. The edge 8 at the rear thereof convstitutes a seat for the shiftable section when the latter is moved to an upright position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The Shir-'atie Secam (describing iwwhen it is in its lowered position) comprises a front 4Wall 9, rear wall 1,0, top 11 and side walls 1.2. When the sliiftable section 2 is moved 'to an upright positionthe rear wall 10 constitutes' the bottom wall of the section, the top 11, the rear wall of the section and the front Wall 9, the top of said section. Hinged as Aat 13 to the front edge of the Wall 10 is a lid or cover 14 Which'constitutes the top for the stationary section 1 when the shiftable section is in an upright position. The supports 15 for the lid or cover 14 are secured to the` inner face of the walls 5 of the stationary section. To enable the convenient raising of the lid or cover 1'4 it is provided with a finger piece 16, which, when the lid or cover 14 is positioned to close the stationary section 1, is seated in the Orioove 17 formed in the top yedge of the wall 3. The length of the finger piece 16 is such as to project past the wall 3. The shiftable section 2 is connected to the stationary section through the medium of the strap hinges 18, each of which is pivoted at its lower end as at 19 to the side wall 5 and at its upper endis curved rearwardly as at 2O and ivotally connected to a side wall 12. By suc 1 construction a hinge, as Well as a slidable connection is had between the shiftable section 2 and stationary section 1.

The wall 10 of the shiftable section is formed with a recess or pocket 21 which is adapted to receive a latch 22 when said section is in an upright position, thereby retaining it in position. The latch 22 is carried by the wall 4 of the stationary section and may be of known construction. When the shiftable section is in an upright position it is adapted to abut against the bead 7 ofA the vwall 4 which acts as a sto to prevent the rearward movement of t e section 2 whether it be in an upright or loweredposition.

Secured in the shiftable section and positioned against the side walls 12 is a pair of supports 23. These supports are arranged in such position with respect to the walls 12 that a clearance is formed to enable the operation of the pivots for the bill-holding leaves to be hereinafter referred to. The supports 23 are secured to the walls 10 and 11 and each of which is formed with an inclined top edge, as at 24, the inclination of said edge being downward and towards the front of the cabinet. Eaclrof the supports 23 is formed with a series of openings 25, arranged in close proximity to the edge 24 and through the alining openings 25 of these supports extend the combined pivot and supporting rods 26 for the bill-holding leaves 27 Each of the rods 26 is substantially U-shaped in contour, the angular ends 28 thereof being somewhat elongated and dis posed between the supports 23 and the walls 12. Each of the leaves 27 at the sides thereof is provided with hollow cylindrical portions 29 constituting sockets for the angular ends 28 of the rods 26, the cylindrical portions 29 snugly fitting the angular ends 28, but at the same time allowing of the leaves 27 to be removed from the rods 26` when occasion so requires.

The leaves 27 are formed preferably of sheet metal and owing to the fact that they are compelled to be light in weight the material is somewhat flexible. The rods 26 are formed oi' rigid material, and owing to the manner in which the angular ends 28 of the rods extend into the cylindrical portions 2S) of the. leaves, they impart rigidity to the leaves, overcon'iing to a great extent, their flexibility. Owing to the manner in-which the supports 23 are constructed and further owing to the manner in which the openings 25 fr* the rods 26 are disposed in the supports 23, the rods are arrangedat an inclination so it will be stated that when the leaves 27 arev moved to a horizontal position they will remain in such position.' The springs 30, When the leaves are moved from horizontal position, tend to restore the leaves to an upright position. The strength of the springs is such as not to shift the leaves 27 to an upright position from horizontal position unless the leaves 27 have been manually started from horizontal towards vertical.

A Owing to the disposition of the springs it is only necessary to provide one at each side of a rod 26. The springs 30 are arranged in close proximity to one of the supports 23.

Each of the bill-holding leaves 27 is provided on each of its faces with a series of out.

wardly-extending divisionl bars 32 adapted to support transversely-extending rods 33. Mounted between the division bars 32 and secured tothe rod 33 are the bill retainers, each of which consists of a pair of spring wires 34 having the lower ends coiled around a rod 33, as at 35. The upper ends of the wires 34 are connected Itogether by an'indicator carrying plate 36, the latter being bent upon 'itself at its top and bottom as at 37, between which is removably secured the indicator, which may be a card provided with a number, or the customers name, or a letter of the alphabet. The manner of setting up the spring wires 34 in connection with the indicator plate 36 and also the rods 33 forms a clamp for iixedlyretaining the bills against a leaf 27.

The cabinet is provided with a lock 38 for connecting the shiftable section to the stationary section when the former is in the )osition shown in Fig. 4, i. e. lowered. The

inge connection between the two sections allows of the section 2 sliding upon the section l when it is desired to move the section 2 to an upright position. It will be assumed th at the sections are in the position shown in Fig. 4 and it is desired to open the cabinet.

The shiftable section is unlocked from thev i heads o izo tion just stated the latch 22 engages in the pocket 21 and ,locks the shiftable section to the stationary section. lf desired the upper -face of the lid or cover 14 ycan be provided with an index withwhich will associate the indications carried by the plate 36, but as this is obvious it is thought unnecessary to show such index.

The bill-retaining devices constitute means for clamping the bills to the bill-holding leaves, the bill-holding devices being resilient so that the upper portions thereof can .be readily pulled away from the leaf which carries the devices and new bills inserted or old ones removed when occasion so requires.

In a practical use of the appliance billthe ordinary oblong form are employed and when filled out are placed under the retaining devices. As th retaining device isprovided with anindication (for example t. e name ofthe customer) it is evident that the bills can readily be positioned under the proper retaining devices. When a bill becomes full, the amounts are summed up and the total carried to a second blank, which is laced back of the retaining device so that tlie customers account is instantly accessible without waiting liorI the posting of books and when the account is settled the bill is receipted and delivered to the customer or may be destroyed, thus closing the account. This means is valuable to the dealer who sells tor cash as a rule, but gives occasional credit to a limited number when extra book-keeping would be a great inconvenience.

Each of Athe bill-holding leaves carries, preferably, on each face ten or more bill-retaining devices so each'leaf provides for ten or more accounts, although this number can be increased or diminished as desired, and owing to such arrangement it is evident that it is not necessary to employ a large number of bill-holding leaves for the reason that onehalf dozen leaves can carry sixty or more accounts.

Owing to the manner of forming the cabinet of two sections, one of which is shiftable and carries the bill-holding leaves, it is evident that the cabinet can be closed so as to form a neat and compact receptacle and when closed can be locked to prevent access thereto by unauthorized parties. Furthermore the lower or stationary section of the cabinet can be used for the storage of bill-heads or other matter desired.

1. An accounting appliance comprising a plurality ot bill-holding leaves carrying'billretaining devices and having a socket at each side, a pivot rod for each of said leaves, each l of said rods having angular ends adapted to extend in said sockets for detachably connecting the leaves to the rod, said rods constituting supports for the leaves and impartabutting against an angular end of the rod and its other end abutting against an adjacent rod.

2. In an accounting appliance, the combination with a plurality of independentlydetachable bill-holding leaves, each provided 'at each side with a verticallyextending s' vcket, oi" a pivoted support for each of said leaves, said support'comprising a U-shaped rod, having the verticalI arms thereof detachably engaging in said sockets.

3. The combination with a plurality of' independently detachable bill-holding leaves each provided with a pair of sockets, of aA pivotal support for each of said leaves, said support consisting of a U-shaped rod having the vertical portions thereofl detachably secured in said sockets.

4. The combination with a plurality of independently detachable bill-holding leaves each provided with alpair of sockets, of a pivotal support for each of said leaves, said .support consisting of a U-shaped rod having the vertical portions thereof detachably secured in said sockets, combined with means for supporting said rod at an inclination thereby maintaining one leaf above the other when said leaves are in. an upright position.

5. An accounting appliance comprising a cabinet consisting of a stationary section and a shiftable section, means for hinging and slidably connecting thc shit'table section to the stationary section, a lid or cover carried by the shiitable section and adapted to closeV the stationary section when the shiftable section is moved to an upright position, and a plurality of bill-holding leaves carried by the shiftable section.

6. An accounting appliance comprising a. cabinet consisting ot a stationary section and a shiftable section, means for hinging .and slidably connecting-the shit'table section to the stationary section, a lid or cover carried by the shiftable section and adapted to close the stationary section when the shiftable sec- 'tionis moved to an upright position, a plurality of bill-holding leaves carried by the shiftable section, and means carried by the stationary section and adapted to engage the s hittable section for maintaining it in an upright position.

7. An accounting appliance comprising a cabinet consisting of a stationary section and la shittable section, means for hinging and slidably connecting the shiftable section to the stationary section, a lid oricover carried by the shiftable section and adapted to close the stationary section when the shiftable section is moved to an upright position, a plurality of U-shaped pivot rods carried by sardi shiftable section, and bill-holding leaves de-y tachably connected to the vertical portionsI of said rods.

'8: An accounting appliance 'comprising a cabinet consisting of a stationary section and a shiftable section, means for liinging and 'slidably connecting the shiftable section to the stationary section, a lid or cover carried by the shiftable section and adapted to close the Stationary section when the shiftable section-is moved to an upright position, a plurality of U-shaped pivot rods carried by said shiftable section, bill-holding leaves detachably connected to the vertical portions of said rods, anda spring mounted near one -end of each rod, each of said springs having one end abutting against an angular end of the rod and its other end abutting against anadjacentrod..

9. An accounting appliance comprising a cabinet consisting of a stationary section and a shiftable section, means for hinging and slidably connecting the shiftable section to the 'stationar section, a lid or cover carried by the shifta le section and adapted to close the stationary section when the shiftable section is moved to an upright position, a'pl'urality of U-shaped pivot rods carried by said shiftable section,'bi1lholdin leaves detachably connected to the vertica portions of said rods,V a spring mounted near one end of each rod, each of said springs having one end abutting against an angular end of the rod and its other end abutting against an adjacent rod, and means carried by the stationary section and adapted to engage the shiftable section for maintaining it in an u right position.

10. An accounting app iance comprising a cabinet consisting of a stationary section and a shittable section, means for hinging and slidably connecting the shitable section to the stationar section, a lid or cover carried by theshifta le section and adapted to close the stationary section when the shiftable section is moved to an upright position,va plurality of U-shaped pivot rods carried by said shiftable section, bill-holdin leaves detachably connected to the vertica portions of said rods, a spring mounted near one end of each rod, each ol' said springs having one endabu tting against an angular end ofthe rod and its other end abutting against an adjacent rod, means carried by the stationary section and adapted to engage the shittable .section for maintaining it in an upright position, and means for locking the sections together when the shiftable section is in its lowered position.

11. In an accounting appliance, the combination with a plurality of independently detachable bill-holdingdeaves, of a pivoted support for each of' said leaves, said support comprising a U-shape'd rod', having the vertical portions thereof detachably secured to the sides of the leaf, combined with means for supporting the rods at an inclination.

12. An accounting appliance having, in

combination, a plurality of bill-holding leaves independently vmovable into upright or horizontal position, and a cabinet inclosing the leaves and comprising a base section and a section mounted thereon and movable to upright position to form a back for the leaves when they are in upright position, or to a horizontal position, with the leaves,

when the appliance is notin use, to form a cover for the leaves.

13. An accounting appliance combination, a cabinet comprising a having, in base section and a section mounted thereon and combination, bill-holding devices, and acabi- .net inclosing said 'devices andcomprising a base section having an open top and a movable section having an open front when' in upright position, the movable section being mounted on the base section'and connected therewith by means permitting it to' be.

moved into eitherupright or horizontal position on the base, and substantially into aline-- ment, in either position, with the rear wall of the base. y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses. l l

' JOSEPH E. WILDMAN.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. NoRRis, Jr., CHAs. HYER. 

